[Sometime in the morning, there is a potent smell of chazuke coming from the kitchen. Next to the bowl is a light blue collar with a decorative red ribbon indicating as a gift and a smaller yet much adorable collar same color as the other with a bell attached to it. The smaller one is obviously for Yuki. No note, but it’s obvious.]
[On the 25th of December, Atsushi will find an oblong package on his doorstep, marked with his name. He might recall Eren bizarrely asking for his arm measurements earlier that week. Inside the package is a sword from the local forge; it's high quality and custom made to fit Atsushi's measurements. There is also a box of fresh croissants from the local bakery.]
Hey Atsushi. I got you a couple of things for Christmas since that's what you're supposed to do here. I consider us friends, so I hope you like it.
Also, I'm supposed to give Akutagawa a gift too apparently. An owl gave me a letter saying so. Not sure what that was about. Anyway, don't touch the box next to this one. That's all for him.
[On Christmas morning, Atsushi will find at his door a delicate portrait of a majestic white tiger (which Rajah modelled for). With the painting is a card inside a wax-sealed envelope with Atsushi's full name scribed in elegant cursive on the front, in both Roman and Persian (آتسوشی ناکاجیما) alphabet. The card's message reads:]
Atsushi,
Congratulations again on your new love! I'm sure you'll both be happy together. I also never thanked you properly for saving my dragon Little Guy from the Skeksis; your heroic action meant everything to me and Aladdin. That was an incredible way to discover you can become a tiger. My dear friend Rajah is another tiger; come by my place if you want to meet him.
[The blizzard was fierce as the rumors said. Still, Akutagawa wasn’t afraid of such nature and ventured it whether to bring something home or.. challenge a snow angel or two. Now, he was home, clothed best to keep warmth. A few sneeze snuck out here and there as he tried to hide it on his sleeve. Trivial illness wasn’t enough to stop this mafioso making a warm cup of hot coco for two.
Another sneeze followed as he tried to be discreet as he can. Nevertheless, one warm cup reached out to Atsushi where he sat as he joined too.]
[ Given his power wasn't elemental, the more suited one to go out amidst these conditions truly was Akutagawa and Atsushi wasn't entirely happy about that but made the best of it. He kept Yuki company and played with them, all too happy when his boyfriend returned and did his best to try and warm him up after being outside for so long.
Yuki was all curled up on the floor at his feet, fast asleep and tuckered out by the time Akutagawa joined him with the cup of hot cocoa. He offered a smile up at the mafioso nonetheless and accepted the aforementioned cup. ]
Thank you.
[ A pause and then he sighed softly as he took in his love once more. ]
Are you going to be okay? I think you might have gotten sick while you were out there.
[The appreciation of getting settled in after a snow adventure didn’t go unnoticed.
One foot tried to slide under the sleeping cub, or at least give them a small pet. Then, when Atsushi raised a question in concern, Ryu didn’t say anything right away but took a sip from his mug instead.]
Impossible.
[He turned to his lover as he leaned forward.]
Then I’d have no choice but to sleep elsewhere tonight.
[ Quietly watching his love give the sleeping cub a pet, Atsushi initially blinked a couple times in surprise but then just chuckled and moved to give Ryu a small kiss. ]
I'll take my chances if it means I can stay with you tonight.
[ That and Yuki did fuss at him if his other half wasn't there with them, speaking volumes to how attached they'd gotten to him. ]
[ Just seeing the touch of color to Ryu's cheeks made his heart feel warm and happy, unable to keep the smile off his face in this moment. ]
Ah! No, not yet.
[ Time to remedy that! He very carefully shifted to bring his own cup up closer to his mouth so he could blow on it, then took a small sip as his eyes then went a touch wide. ]
[As Atsushi take a sip, so does he. A quick sip before setting it down. After watching Atsushi take a sip, Akutagwa press his fingers gently on the young man’s hand and wrist, helping him to lower his cup down for a moment to lean further to plant a quick kiss on his lips.
Ryu’s forehead leaned against his, still with some blush because—]
[ It didn't take much to get him to lower his cup down, that kiss soft, warm and wholeheartedly sweet. Something that brought color to his cheeks now in turn, though his smile remained. ]
I think... I like the one from you better. Can I have... another taste?
[ Oh god that sounded so cheesy once he said it but it wasn't like anyone was going to judge him for that or anything.. ]
[No judgment here. After a hike in the cold and returning home, his onyx was focused on one particular person. As one hand held his own cup, the other rose and his fingers caress along the other’s cheek and enough to brush the long bangs a side.]
As many as you like.
[Perhaps also cheesy, but that didn’t stop Ryu from leaning forward, brushing his lips against the other before planting another soft kiss. This time, it stays there.]
[ As that hand brushed along his cheek and even brushed his bangs aside, his expression softened a touch more. He felt his heart almost skip a beat when he'd heard those accompanying words, not hesitating at all to return the sweet kiss.
With all the suffering he'd been made to endure back home, part of this didn't feel real but he was glad he got to have something so nice like this. ]
[It was hard to discrete this person was once an enemy, someone he loathed. Now, this important person felt more like a gem he’d protect. The returned sweet kiss earned a hum. As he drew away slowly, once again his forehead pressed to the other.
Recalling his sentence back.. a small chuckle hiccups from his throat. Perhaps he was falling ill, or the air around him seemed hot than usual. Either way, his expression seemed blissful with a soft smile.]
Gifting:
Date: 2023-12-22 01:07 am (UTC)Gift Delivery
Date: 2023-12-24 01:16 am (UTC)Also, I'm supposed to give Akutagawa a gift too apparently. An owl gave me a letter saying so. Not sure what that was about. Anyway, don't touch the box next to this one. That's all for him.
- Eren
no subject
Date: 2024-01-01 02:06 am (UTC)Atsushi,
Congratulations again on your new love! I'm sure you'll both be happy together. I also never thanked you properly for saving my dragon Little Guy from the Skeksis; your heroic action meant everything to me and Aladdin. That was an incredible way to discover you can become a tiger. My dear friend Rajah is another tiger; come by my place if you want to meet him.
Let's do a double date sometime.
Jasmine
Blizzard log
Date: 2024-01-19 09:48 pm (UTC)Another sneeze followed as he tried to be discreet as he can. Nevertheless, one warm cup reached out to Atsushi where he sat as he joined too.]
Here. Something to battle this deadly chill.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-19 10:37 pm (UTC)Yuki was all curled up on the floor at his feet, fast asleep and tuckered out by the time Akutagawa joined him with the cup of hot cocoa. He offered a smile up at the mafioso nonetheless and accepted the aforementioned cup. ]
Thank you.
[ A pause and then he sighed softly as he took in his love once more. ]
Are you going to be okay? I think you might have gotten sick while you were out there.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-19 11:02 pm (UTC)One foot tried to slide under the sleeping cub, or at least give them a small pet. Then, when Atsushi raised a question in concern, Ryu didn’t say anything right away but took a sip from his mug instead.]
Impossible.
[He turned to his lover as he leaned forward.]
Then I’d have no choice but to sleep elsewhere tonight.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-19 11:07 pm (UTC)I'll take my chances if it means I can stay with you tonight.
[ That and Yuki did fuss at him if his other half wasn't there with them, speaking volumes to how attached they'd gotten to him. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-19 11:26 pm (UTC)Your concern is appreciated. [He leaned his head closer to his love.]
.. Have you tried your cup yet?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 11:33 pm (UTC)Ah! No, not yet.
[ Time to remedy that! He very carefully shifted to bring his own cup up closer to his mouth so he could blow on it, then took a small sip as his eyes then went a touch wide. ]
It's delicious!
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 11:42 pm (UTC)Ryu’s forehead leaned against his, still with some blush because—]
What about from me?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 11:54 pm (UTC)I think... I like the one from you better. Can I have... another taste?
[ Oh god that sounded so cheesy once he said it but it wasn't like anyone was going to judge him for that or anything.. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 12:08 am (UTC)As many as you like.
[Perhaps also cheesy, but that didn’t stop Ryu from leaning forward, brushing his lips against the other before planting another soft kiss. This time, it stays there.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 07:32 am (UTC)With all the suffering he'd been made to endure back home, part of this didn't feel real but he was glad he got to have something so nice like this. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 09:59 pm (UTC)Recalling his sentence back.. a small chuckle hiccups from his throat. Perhaps he was falling ill, or the air around him seemed hot than usual. Either way, his expression seemed blissful with a soft smile.]
That line was awfully poor.